6
Councillor Deacon, Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, introduced report ES/2407 relating to the review of Community Partnerships (CPs). Overview and Scrutiny had reviewed CPs to consider whether this model was still correct for East Suffolk, to assess the impact they had, whether they were providing value for money, and whether the model would be fit for purpose following devolution and local government reorganisation. The Committee had sought the views of those that attended regularly and those who had not participated to see whether there were any barriers to attendance. The Committee also received feedback on CPs from Lesley Beevor on behalf of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils.
Overview and Scrutiny Committee felt that while some improvements could be made, the CP model was well supported and it was hoped they would be carried forward to any new Council. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee had made several recommendations including an allowance for parishes to move CP areas if it was felt appropriate. Councillor Deacon thanked Members and Officers for their time.
Councillor Whitelock, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Communities, Tourism, Leisure and Culture stated that the process of preparing for the review had been helpful and that the feedback survey would be sent out annually going forward. Officers had also started preparing introductory information for each CP to share with new members.
The Leader invited questions and debate.
Councillor Langdon-Morris asked where the feedback had come from about meetings being 'Councillor lead' as this had not been his experience. Councillor Whitelock stated this depended on the area, some CPs seemed to have more Councillor attendees than attendees from the voluntary sector. All CPs should encourage involvement from charity and voluntary groups. The Leader agreed that some meetings can seem Councillor heavy as County, District, Town and Parish Councillors could all attend.
The Democratic Services Officer (Scrutiny and Member Development) stated that the recommendations that had been made were only suggested, Cabinet did not have to accept them, they could just be noted.
The Chief Executive stated that there had been a statement issued that afternoon from Jim McMahon MP, Minister of State for Local Government and English Devolution on the interim plans for Local Government Reorganisation. The statement had been supportive of neighbourhood area committees to deliver commitments at a local level in partnership with town and parish councils and other partners.
Councillor Candy was pleased introductory information was being prepared for each CP as they could be difficult to understand. She also appreciated extra training for Parish and Town Councils through SALC.
Councillor Whitelock thanked the Communities Team for their work in preparing information for Overview and Scrutiny. The Head of Communities and Leisure and welcomed the feedback that the team could build on and the ideas that had come out through the process.
Councillor Ashdown stated that he agreed with the comments that had already been made. Community Partnerships were a massive boost to their areas and helped a lot of people through difficult times.
Councillor Byatt thanked the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for their work and agreed that this Council and any new Councils should continue to emphasise local communities.
On the proposal of Councillor Whitelock, seconded by Councillor Candy it was
RESOLVED
1. That, whilst the Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorse the continued use of the Community Partnerships model to provide support to communities within East Suffolk, Cabinet be recommended to consider the following:
(a) Incorporate the suggestions made by the SALC representative as follows:
• Request SALC include Community Partnerships within their training for new Parish Clerks.
• Review the Council’s website to ensure the information on Community Partnerships was up to date, especially the Communities Officers’ details.
• Regularly review the grant application process to ensure it was user friendly for community groups.
• Make grant outcomes available to share learning.
(b) Review the involvement and role of Councillors within Community Partnerships and encourage more community groups to get involved so that CPs were not perceived as being Councillor-led/heavy meetings.
(c) Review the number and geographical split of the Partnership areas, particularly those Parishes who might prefer to be in a different Community Partnership such as Waldringfield.
(d) Investigate the provision of a dedicated communications resource to support and promote Community Partnership activities.
2. That, as part of the Local Government Re-organisation discussions, Cabinet be recommended to stress the need for the new Unitary Authority covering East Suffolk to continue with the Community Partnerships model and to investigate the possibility of having a funding commitment beyond March 2027 and into the first few years of the new Unitary at least, to ensure that East Suffolk communities remained supported during the transition / transformation period.